The third time around, leaders agree on something

The first two of Gov. David Paterson’s weekly five-way meetings ended on less-than-optimistic notes: The first one, with the topic being property taxes, devolved into recriminations about the state’s bailout of the MTA while the second meeting, to discuss the governor’s plan for a spending cap, met with was basically met with indifference, at least from Paterson’s fellow Democrats (more on that in a second).

Earlier today, though, the governor found something that he, Republicans Dean Skelos and Brian Kolb as well as Democrats Sheldon Silver and Malcolm Smith, can all agree upon, kind of.

They reached a consensus that by the end of the session next month, they would extend the New York Power Authority’s “Power for Jobs” program in which the authority sells inexpensive electricity to businesses, many of whom are located in western and upstate New York.

Extending an economic development program, which the state argues poses little real cost, is something of a no-brainer, at least in these dire economic times, of course, and it’s a lot easier than getting a tax or spending cap, given the ferocious opposition to those ideas by special interests such as the education and health care lobbies.

“Is there a disagreement here on whether to extend our Power for Jobs program?” Paterson asked, as he gained consensus on that point.

That’s not to say there is amity in the ranks of leaders or even with Paterson’s fellow Democrats.

Before taking on energy, the governor basically threatened to hold up spending bills if lawmakers don’t at least take up his proposal for a spending cap (which would limit increases to a three-year average of the inflation rate).

He also raised the veto threat this morning on a radio interview with John Gambling of WOR 710.

The AP picked up on that and noted that Republican Dean Skelos suggested he might not try to override such a cap if it limits taxes and spending. Skelos’ conference, of course, makes up 30 of the Senate’s 62 seats and withholding those votes would prevent an override of the governor. It’s one of several examples in which the governor seems to be getting along better with Republicans than fellow Democrats in some regards.

Read the AP story after the jump.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson says that if the
Legislature won’t even introduce his bill to cap Albany’s notorious
overspending, he’ll impose the cap himself.

The Democratic governor is threatening to hold up spending bills if
lawmakers won’t even consider his proposal to tie annual increases to a
three-year average of the inflation rate. The governor could withhold
his support for the bills during negotiations or veto them and risk an
override by two-thirds of the Democrat-controlled Legislature.

Dean Skelos, the Senate’s Republican minority leader, told The
Associated Press last week he might block an override attempt if it
would curb spending and taxes.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says he was surprised
the governor is threatening to impose a cap.

In 1997, the New York State Legislature approved a Power For JobsTM (PFJ) program which provided 400 megawatts (MW) of low cost power to businesses and not-for-profit corporations that committed to create or retain jobs in New York. Due to its success, the program has been amended several times, but continues to play an important role in New York’s economy. In its present form, PFJ participants receive benefits either through a cash rebate from NYPA to offset their electricity costs or through a discount on electricity rates. The program currently supports some 241,000 jobs at approximately 480 business and not-for-profit organizations throughout the state. Legislation signed by the Governor in June 2008 will allow current program participants to extend their contracts through June 30, 2009.